Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-25
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The chart shows the percentages in typical foods of three types of nutrients,all of which may be unhealthy if we eat too much.In these charts the information is about sodium,saturated fats and added sugars in the meals consumed in the USA.
Firstly i will talk about sodium,in breakfast the average percentage of sodium is 14%,its percentage changes in lunch and it becomes 29% which is higher than in breakfast,now in dinner the percentage of the meal increases it is higher than the percentage of sodium in breakfast and lunch the percentage of sodium in dinner is 43% and at the last the percentage of sodium in snack is less than percentage in lunch and breakfast and it is equal to percentage in breakfast,The average percentage of sodium in snack is 14% which is equal to the percentage in break fast.
on second there is saturated fat and on third there is sugar which we add.Both have different percentages.The percentage of saturated fat in breakfast,lunch,dinner and snack is 16%,26%,37% and 21% respectively.At last there is sugar, the average percentage of sugar in breakfast,lunch,dinner and snack is 16%,19%,37% and 42% respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all three nutrients and provides data for all meal types. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the main trends, which is a requirement for a high band score in Task 1. The description is largely a list of figures rather than a synthesis of the information. For example, you mention specific percentages for sodium but fail to highlight the most significant trend, such as dinner being the highest for all three nutrients. To improve, you should group the data more effectively and provide a summary paragraph that identifies the most striking features of the charts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the internal structure is weak. The use of cohesive devices is repetitive and mechanical, such as 'firstly', 'on second', and 'at last'. There is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect ideas smoothly. The sentences are often run-on or lack proper punctuation, which makes the progression of information feel disjointed. For instance, the transition between the sodium section and the saturated fat section is abrupt. Improving the use of referencing and varied transition signals would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is functional but limited and repetitive. You frequently use the word 'percentage' and 'average' throughout the text, which makes the writing feel monotonous. There is little attempt to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends or comparisons, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'peak at', or 'remain constant'. While the meaning is clear, the lack of variety in word choice prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Try to incorporate more precise terminology related to data reporting to demonstrate a broader lexical range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent punctuation errors, such as missing spaces after commas and incorrect capitalization (e.g., 'i' instead of 'I'). You also struggle with comma splices, where independent clauses are joined incorrectly, such as in 'the percentage of the meal increases it is higher than...'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of complex sentence structures and the presence of persistent basic grammatical errors limit the score. Focusing on sentence variety and proofreading for basic punctuation would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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